ISRCTN ISRCTN91278516
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN91278516
Secondary identifying numbers 20121
Submission date
02/11/2016
Registration date
30/11/2016
Last edited
25/09/2017
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Obesity is a growing problem worldwide. In the UK alone, around 62% of the population are condifered to be overweight or obese. Obesity is associated with a number of health problems including type 2 diabetes mellitus, a condition where the sufferer has difficulty controlling their blood sugar (glucose) as they do not produce enough insulin to function properly (insulin deficiency), or that the body’s cells don’t react to insulin as they should do (insulin resistance). The causes of obesity are complex, with unhealthy diets and low exercise levels considered to be the main driving forces. Recently, the composition of bacteria that live in the gut (gut microbiome) is being increasingly accepted as a major component in the bodily processes behind obesity. The composition of the gut microbiome can quickly change in response to changes, such as a change of diet. There is also evidence to show that physical activity can lead to changes in the gut microbiome, but there is little research looking into this. The aim of this study is to find out whether an exercise programme can change the composition of the gut microbiota (proportion of different bacteria that live in the gut) in obese men.

Who can participate?
Obese men aged between 25 and 50 years.

What does the study involve?
Participants attend a study visit where they have some measurements taken, including height, weight, blood samples. They are also given a specialist kit to take home with which to collect a small stool sample so that gut bacteria can be examined. Participants also perform an exercise test to assess fitness. All participants then complete an eight week supervised, standard exercise programme. This involves three sessions per week at the Leicester Diabetes Centre gym of exercise tailored to each participant’s ability and fitness level. Exercise sessions progress to a point where participant can exercise comfortably for 50 minutes per session. After the final gym visit, participants are asked to return to the Leicester Diabetes Centre to have the same measures taken that were carried out at the first visit. They then return eight weeks later to see if there have been any lasting changes.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The participants will benefit by receiving a personalised exercise programme from a trained specialist, and will have free gym access three times a week for eight weeks. They will gain knowledge about their current fitness levels and receive information about the levels of sugar and fat in your blood. The participants will also add to evidence-based exercise research that may improve the treatment for people in the future. During any physical activity there is always an increased risk of a heart event or injury. For those without any underlying heart disease, the risks to health are very low. Before participants start the exercise programme they will be assessed by a qualified clinical team member. There will be a member of the exercise research team developing and supervising the programmes. A fully qualified member of the research team will carry out all the blood tests so any pain should be kept to a minimum. However some people experience minor discomfort and slight bruising from blood tests.

Where is the study run from?
Leicester Diabetes Centre (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
August 2014 to July 2017

Who is funding the study?
Novo Nordisk UK Research Foundation (UK)

Who is the main contact?
1. Dr Tom Yates (scientific)
ty20@leicester.ac.uk
2. Ms Tatiana Plekhanova (public)
Tp150@le.ac.uk

Contact information

Dr Tom Yates
Scientific

Leicester Diabetes Centre
Leicester General Hospital
Gwendolen Road
Leicester
LE5 4PW
United Kingdom

Phone +44 116 258 4312
Email ty20@leicester.ac.uk
Ms Tatiana Plekhanova
Public

Leicester Diabetes Centre
Leicester General Hospital
Gwendolen Road
Leicester
LE5 4PW
United Kingdom

Phone +44 116 258 8571
Email Tp150@le.ac.uk

Study information

Study designNon-randomised; Interventional; Design type: Treatment, Prevention, Physical
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)Not specified
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet ISRCTN91278516_PIS_21Jun2016_V3.docx
Scientific titleDetermining the effect of exercise on the gut microbiota of obese men: A pilot study
Study acronymTEAM GB
Study objectivesThe aim of this pilot study is to determine whether exercise alters the gut microbiota of obese men.
Ethics approval(s)NRES Committee West Midlands – Coventry & Warwickshire, 27/08/2015, ref: 15/WM/0244
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedObesity
InterventionThe participants will need to visit the Leicester Diabetes Centre for three study visits (pre-, post- and maintenance), and attend the gym within the centre three times a week, for eight weeks.

Pre-intervention visit. During the first study visit the participants will have their measurements such as height, weight, non-fasting bloods taken and will be assessed as safe to exercise. They will also be given a physical activity monitor to wear on their wrist to measure their physical activity levels for the duration of the study.

The exercise intervention will be a supervised eight week exercise programme that is designed to meet the recommendations for physical activity i.e. three sixty minute sessions to ensure a minimum 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise. The programme will be based on aerobic exercise; walking and/or jogging exercise will be encouraged on the treadmill to promote weight bearing exercise and increased gut transit time. All exercise sessions will be specific to the individual’s ability and progressions made accordingly. At participant’s first exercise visit they will be requested to provide a stool sample using the collection kit provided at the pre-intervention visit.

Post-intervention visit. After eight weeks of the exercise intervention participants will return for a repeat of the pre-intervention visit. Participants will provide a further stool sample at this visit.

Maintenance visit. Participants will be asked to return four weeks after the Post-intervention visit to investigate whether any potential changes in gut microbiota remain one month after the intervention is complete. At this visit all measurements taken at the Pre-intervention visit will be carried out, a final stool sample will be procured.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureRatio between bacteroidetes and firmicutes is measured using established qPCR assays on faecal samples collected at baseline and 8 weeks.
Secondary outcome measures1. Relationship between gut microbiota and inflammation is investigated by measuring inflammatory markers such as CRP, TNF-α and IL-6 on non-fasting blood samples collected at baseline and 8 weeks
2. Concentration of short chain fatty acids in faecal samples is measured using established qPCR assays at baseline and 8 weeks
3. Association between the gut microbiota and physical fitness on appetite hormones is determined by measuring GLP-1, PYY and ghrelin on fasting blood samples collected at baseline and 8 weeks
Overall study start date01/08/2014
Completion date22/07/2017

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexMale
Target number of participantsPlanned Sample Size: 19; UK Sample Size: 19
Key inclusion criteria1. Caucasian Males
2. Aged 25-50 years inclusive
3. BMI 30-40kg/m2 inclusive
4. HbA1c less than 6.5%
5. Completion of an eligibility stress test and approval from an in house clinician according to our standard operating procedures
6. Able to speak and understand English
Key exclusion criteria1. Unable to understand and speak English
2. Unable to provide written informed consent
3. Diagnosed with type 1 or 2 diabetes
4. Diagnosed with crohn’s disease, celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome
5. Highly active individuals or individuals meeting current physical activity guidelines (self­report ≥2.5 hours per week)
Participants should not report exercising two or more times per week for 20minutes or longer over the past six months
6. Patients with orthopaedic limitations, motor neurone disease, stage II hypertension (systolic BP>160 and/or diastolic 
BP>100mmHg), cardiovascular disease (coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, cor pulmonale, 
cardiac dysrhythmias, endocarditis, myocarditis, valvular heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial 
disease, congenital heart disease and rheumatic heart disease), pulmonary disease (inflammatory lung disease, 
obstructive lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, respiratory tract 
infections, pleural cavity disease, pulmonary vascular disease) renal disease or chair bound
7. Current smokers
8. Are currently on a calorie restricted/weight loss diet
9. Have changed their dietary habits in the past three months
10. Individuals who have used antibiotics or pre/probitoics in the past three months
11. Weight limit (due to operating scales): maximum 200kgs
Date of first enrolment22/07/2015
Date of final enrolment12/05/2017

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Leicester Diabetes Centre
Gwendolen road
Leicester
LE5 4PW
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Leicester
University/education

Academic Department
Leicester General Hospital
Leicester
LE5 4PW
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44 116 258 4867
Email uolsponsor@leicester.ac.uk
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04h699437

Funders

Funder type

Research organisation

Novo Nordisk UK Research Foundation
Private sector organisation / Trusts, charities, foundations (both public and private)
Alternative name(s)
The Novo Nordisk UK Research Foundation, ovo Nordisk Research Foundation UK, NNUKRF
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date22/07/2018
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryStored in repository
Publication and dissemination planPlanned dissemination of the results of the study in peer reviewed scientific journals, internal reports, conference presentation, publication on web-site and submit to regulatory authorities.
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study will be stored in a non-publically available repository (University of Leicester computer system).

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Participant information sheet version V3 21/06/2016 30/11/2016 No Yes
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No

Additional files

ISRCTN91278516_PIS_21Jun2016_V3.docx
Uploaded 30/11/2016

Editorial Notes

25/09/2017: Internal review
19/12/2016: Verified study information with principal investigator.